Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) shakes hands with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the meeting in Bangkok on July 31 (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and foreign ministers of other ASEAN countries paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha before attending the opening of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-52) in Bangkok on July 31. In his speech on behalf of Vietnam – the next country to take over the ASEAN Chairmanship, Minh said the bloc is developing more and more strongly with its central role and stature in the international arena consolidated and the Community building process actively carried out. He affirmed that facing complex developments in the region and the world, ASEAN needs to stay steadfast, united and resilient while promoting the respect for law so as to effectively cope with changes in the … [Read more...] about ASEAN foreign ministers pay courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister
Canada new prime minister
Prime Minister Phúc in the thick of things at G20 Summit
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (centre) and the first lady join a photo session with other world leaders and their spouses at the 14th G20 Summit that opened in Osaka, Japan, on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất OSAKA – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc was in the thick of the action at the 14th G20 Summit that opened in Osaka, Japan yesterday, with his activities including a discussion on trade with US President Donald Trump. Following a welcome ceremony in the morning, leaders of G20 members and guest countries had a discussion on the digital economy presided over by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The session adopted the Osaka statement on the digital economy, which stressed the huge potential and significance of the digital economy, and agreed to enhance international co-operation to develop the digital economy, optimise benefits brought about by the digital economy and emerging technologies, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Phúc in the thick of things at G20 Summit
Canada clears last legislative hurdle in CPTPP implementation
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Photo: VNA) Ottawa (VNA) – The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was passed by Canadian Senate on October 25, paving the way for Canada to be among the first six countries to ratify the pact. Canadian Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr underlined that the CPTPP will help the country’s firms access to emerging markets, which in turn will offer opportunities for its business community and middle class, as well as generate more high paid jobs in the country. Previously, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand had ratified CPTPP. Formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the CPTPP was signed by 11 member states in March after the US withdrew from the original agreement early last year. It will enter into force 60 days after at least six signatories ratify the agreement. The other member countries are Brunei, Chile, … [Read more...] about Canada clears last legislative hurdle in CPTPP implementation
Canada to host meeting on WTO reform, US and China left out for now
OTTAWA —Canada will host trade officials from the European Union, Japan and others for two-day talks starting on Wednesday aimed at shaping long-delayed reforms to the global trading system that have sparked tensions among major economies. Like-minded trade ministers from Australia, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Switzerland are also due to attend. The group will "identify concrete means of improving the WTO," a source said last month, adding preparatory work had already begun. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also meet with WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo. The United States and China, however, will not be at the table. The failure to adjust global trade rules in the last two decades, particularly in agriculture and services, has undermined the potential to boost growth and reduce poverty, according to a joint report by the International Monetary Fund, World … [Read more...] about Canada to host meeting on WTO reform, US and China left out for now
Canada becomes first major economy to legalise recreational cannabis
Viet Nam News OTTAWA — Canada on Wednesday became the world’s first major economy to fully legalise cannabis, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial experiment in drug policy. Throughout the country huge lines outside pot shops snaked around city blocks, cannabis flew off store shelves and government websites processed 100 pot orders per minute. Scores of customers braved the cold for hours outside Tweed, a pot boutique in St John’s, Newfoundland that opened at midnight, to buy their first grams (ounces) of legal cannabis. Ian Power said prior to its grand opening, he was happy to "make history" by being the first to legally buy pot in Canada, adding that he would frame those few grams rather than smoke them. "I’m elated. I’m so excited, I can’t stop smiling. I’m not cold. It’s freezing cold out, but I’m not cold," he said. In Cape Breton, platinum record-selling fiddler Ashley MacIsaac was among the … [Read more...] about Canada becomes first major economy to legalise recreational cannabis